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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2002–2004

BMW R 1150 RT recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 25 owner complaints for the BMW R 1150 RT, covering model years 2002 to 2004. The 2004 model year drew the most complaints (18), and Power Train is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your BMW R 1150 RT VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 2 recall campaigns on file
  • 25 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 3 model years with data (2002–2004)
  • most complaints: 2004 (18 for that model year)
  • top component: Power Train (12 complaints)
  • latest recall 04V304000 (reported Jun 23, 2004)
  • 3 complaints reporting a crash (12.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 1 complaint reporting an injury (4.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

BMW R 1150 RT complaints by model year

3 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2004 model year has the most complaints: 18 of 25, or 72.0%. Next come 2003 (5) and 2002 (2).

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
BMW R 1150 RT owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2002–2004Column chart of 25 complaints across 3 model years. The highest is 2004 with 18. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2002: 2 complaints220022003: 5 complaints520032004: 18 complaints182004
BMW R 1150 RT complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
BMW R 1150 RT complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
200221010
200351000
2004181000
All model years253010

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported BMW R 1150 RT components

top 8 · NHTSA categories

Power Train is the component named most often, in 12 complaints (48.0% of all 25), followed by Fuel System, Gasoline (4) and Electrical System (3).

Components named most often in BMW R 1150 RT complaints (top 8)
Components named most often in BMW R 1150 RT complaints (top 8)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Power Train1248.0%
Fuel System, Gasoline416.0%
Electrical System312.0%
Fuel/Propulsion System28.0%
Exterior Lighting14.0%
Service Brakes14.0%
Suspension14.0%
Tires14.0%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

BMW R 1150 RT recalls

2 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name R 1150 RT, newest first. The 2 campaigns cover model years 2003 to 2004. The 2003 and 2004 model years appear in the most campaigns (1 each).

  • 2 recall campaigns
BMW R 1150 RT recall campaigns covering each model year
2003: 1 campaign2004: 1 campaign

  1. NHTSA campaign 04V304000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder

    Model year 2004

    On certain motorcycles, an incorrect sealing ring was mounted to the piston of the rear brake master cylinder.

    Consequence:
    If only the rear brake were applied during riding, insufficient braking pressure would be available to slow the motorcycle, which could increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the rear brake master cylinder. The recall began July 16, 2004. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 02V319000

    Reported

    Power Train › Manual Transmission

    Model year 2003

    On certain motorcycles, it is possible that the 3rd and 4th transmission gear (shift) wheels may not be securely seated on the intermediate shaft. Consequently, when attempting to shift from 5th to 6th gear, engagement of the two gears may occur simultaneously.

    Consequence:
    If this happens, the gear wheels could crack resulting in a loss of transmission capability, or, a lock of transmission could occur. The rear wheel could lock which, depending upon traffic and road conditions, and the rider's reaction, could affect the stability of the motorcycle.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the motorcycles and replace the transmission gear box if necessary. Owner notification is expected to begin during December 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117, option #4.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

BMW R 1150 RT questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the BMW R 1150 RT have?

NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recall campaigns for the BMW R 1150 RT, covering model years 2002 to 2004. The most recent, 04V304000, was reported on June 23, 2004 and is filed under “Service brakes, hydraulic”. The 2003 and 2004 model years are covered by the most campaigns (1 each).

Which BMW R 1150 RT model year has the most complaints?

The 2004 model year, with 18 of the 25 complaints in NHTSA’s file (72.0%). The next are 2003 (5) and 2002 (2). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common BMW R 1150 RT complaint?

Power Train is the component named most often: 12 complaints, or 48.0% of all 25. Fuel System, Gasoline (4) and Electrical System (3) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my BMW R 1150 RT?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a BMW dealer.

How many BMW R 1150 RT complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 25 complaints, 3 report a crash, 0 a fire, 1 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other BMW models

8 models · most complaints first

The BMW models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the BMW VIN decoder with every BMW model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • BMW X5 1999–2026 · 103 recalls · 3,138 complaints
  • BMW 328i 1996–2016 · 27 recalls · 2,576 complaints
  • BMW X3 2004–2026 · 60 recalls · 1,989 complaints
  • BMW 325i 1995–2012 · 20 recalls · 1,281 complaints
  • BMW Z4 2002–2023 · 28 recalls · 1,280 complaints
  • BMW 3 Series 1995–2023 · 8 recalls · 841 complaints
  • BMW 528i 1997–2016 · 14 recalls · 831 complaints
  • BMW 330i 1999–2026 · 38 recalls · 813 complaints

All BMW models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.